http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-HoustonPreview0708 They have it for all 30 teams. Quoted portion is the first part of it, with predictions by their analysts. Quite a few of them expected the Rockets to stand pat or get worse as far as standings go.
Chris Sheridan ESPN.com SOUTHWEST: 2 | WEST: 4 We're not going to predict Luis Scola will be the Rookie of the Year, but we will opine that he'll be the biggest impact rookie for a playoff team. It's tricky relying on Tracy McGrady's back and Yao Ming's feet. Their health makes the difference between 40 wins and 60 wins. Who is the we??? Isn't the point of having all your analysts give their personal predictions to use the singular, I? I'm not naive enough to think that ESPN doesn't tell them what to think, but come on mob. Also, please name one team who's success DOESN'T rely on their stars being healthy? Man new year, new roster, but they write the same old story.
i really don't understand the logic some of these guys use. we significantly improve our roster more than any team with over 50 wins and some guys move us back 2 spots? we were 4 last year, a conservative guess would be 4 again this season. 6 is just a$$ backward. jon barry i thought i knew you.
Realistically we should finish 2nd in the southwest division but no lower than 3rd. 1st is definitely not out of the question but with the Spurs and the Mavs, I am not going say it is a sure thing. I will say we will finish either 3rd or 4th overall in the west. TMAC does have a problem with staying healthy (hence why they always bring that to to question). It isn't a one time deal with the back, we know it is a problem that probably continue to plague him for a while. Yao just gets into these freak accidents where he breaks something. It might take time for everyone to mesh together, but I don't believe a drop of what people say because we can't get out of the first round and how RA can't win the big games, blah blah blah. Kings got screwed that one year, and there are plenty of good coaches out there they are still looking to win one.
Here is last years. Looks like John Hollinger was on the money last year. Lets hope he is consistent. Marc Stein ESPN.com Houston spruced up the cast around T-Mac and Yao with Battier, Bonzi and a few legit shooters. But everyone thought Stro Swift was a landscape-changing addition, too, so the Rockets know they're not back in the elite until they prove it. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 Chris Sheridan ESPN.com If Jeff Van Gundy stumbles out of the gate, he'll be calling playoff games on TNT rather than coaching them in Houston. If Yao Ming starts taking shots at him publicly, it'll be a telling sign. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 7 Jim O'Brien ESPN.com The Rockets will make this division a donnybrook. The addition of Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier along with some better shooters will put them in the class of the Spurs and the Mavs. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 Tim Legler ESPN.com How can a team with McGrady and Yao finish last? Because they can't stay on the court together. If they can stay healthy, the additions of Battier and Wells should be enough to get the Rockets into the postseason. DIVISION RANK: 5 | CONFERENCE RANK: 12 Scoop Jackson ESPN.com It's the Bonzi Effect. If T-Mac plays 60 games at 90 percent and Shane plays close to how he did this summer, the Rockets could shake up the basketball world this season. But everything has to go Yao perfect. DIVISION RANK: 1 | CONFERENCE RANK: 1 John Hollinger ESPN.com Rockets look like one of the four best teams in the West but will come in third in their own division. T-Mac's back is key, but great offseason (Bonzi Wells, Shane Battier, Kirk Snyder, Vassilis Spanoulis) will be a big help. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 5 Chad Ford ESPN.com The formula is simple. If McGrady and Yao stay healthy, Battier and Bonzi could make Houston a serious contender. If T-Mac or Yao goes down, the Rockets might be bouncing lottery balls in May. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 Ric Bucher ESPN Mag Can Yao be as dominant without getting the ball as much? Can Van Gundy blend Alston's up-tempo talent with the T-Mac/Yao two-man game? Do they have enough shooters? Answers: Probably not, probably so and not really. Getting beyond the first round would be an achievement. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 Chris Broussard ESPN Mag If healthy, Rockets will be the team nobody wants to face in the postseason. Still, this unfamiliar group needs one year at full health together before being a real threat to get to June. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 5 Greg Anthony ESPN.com A healthy T-Mac and Yao is a guarantee for the playoffs. And Shane was a huge pickup. Now if they can get Bonzi healthy and focused and get better point guard play, expect some success come playoff time. DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 7
